IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2014 - 15

independent of output voltage, thus
allowing regulation to be specified in
millivolts rather than the traditional
percentage of output.
The LT3080 specifications from
the data sheet show that this 1.1-A adjustable single-resistor, low-dropout
linear regulator incorporates an internal ballast resistor that eases direct
paralleling of these devices for higher
output current, as shown in Figure 5.
Since these devices can be paralleled
directly on a surface mount board, a
board layout is simple and easy. As can
be seen, any output voltage can be obtained from zero up to the maximum
defined by the input power supply.
Last June, the company started
adding monitoring functions to the
adjustable single-resistor, low-dropout
linear regulator. The LT3081 was introduced with current and temperature monitoring functions and built-in
protection circuitry for reverse input

protection, reverse-current protection,
internal current limiting, and thermal
shutdown. Other features include an
extended safe operating area, 1.5-A
maximum output current, stable with
or without input/output capacitors, and
a wide input voltage range of 1.2-36 V.
In summary, three-terminal linear
regulators have come a long way since
they were first introduced in 1969.
They will continue to play an important role in applications where noise,
cost, and simplicity are important. As
a result, they continue to be used in
general-purpose applications of a wide
variety. Bipolar has enough juice left
to keep pushing the performance of
these devices at lower cost and adding
new bells and whistles as needed by
the market. The evolution continues.

Electronics Magazine and a veteran
writer and editor with more than 30
years of editorial experience covering
power electronics, analog/RF technologies, and semiconductors. He has
worked for leading electronics trade
publications in the United States, including EETimes, Electronic Design, Power
Electronics Technology, and RF Design.

References
[1] J. Williams, "Performance enhancement techniques for three-terminal regulators," Application
Note 2, Linear Technol. Corp., Milpitas, CA, Tech.
Rep., Aug. 1984.
[2] H. J. Zhang, "Basic concepts of linear regulator and switching mode power supplies," Application Note 140, Linear Technol. Corp., Milpitas,
CA, Tech. Rep., Oct. 2013.
[3] B. Dobkin. (2013, Aug.). New linear regulators solve old problems. Application Note 142.

About the Author

Linear Technol. Corp. Milpitas, CA. [Online].

Ashok Bindra (bindra1@verizon.net)
is the editor-in-chief of IEEE Power

Available: http://cds.linear.com/docs/en/application-note/an142f.pdf

Power Electronics Vacancies in the newly established
National Center for Power
Electronics and Energy
under the leadership of Prof.
Adrian Ioinovici,: Sun Yat-sen
University, Guangzhou, P
R China announces several openings at Full,
Associate and Assistant Professor and Post-doc
levels for the above center.
The Sun Yat-Sen University is a top university
in China, situated in a dynamic region aiming to
future technology innovation. The new laboratory covers 300 sqm and an initial budget of
9,000,000 allowed for purchasing the most
updated equipment. It aims to be one of the
world's largest centers in the field, performing
cutting-edge research in energy conversion.
The new faculty will be able to develop a highly
visible research program, allowing each one to
obtain international reputation.
Candidates with background in all fields of power
electronics or related areas are looked for. Highly
competitive salary will be offered depending
on qualifications and scholarly record. Industrial experience in companies or participation at
industrial projects will be an advantage.
Submit CV to a.ioinovici@gmail.com

December 2014

z IEEE PowEr ElEctronIcs MagazInE

http://cds.linear.com/docs/en/appli

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2014